"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is drop-dead gorgeous. Dark red fruit, tobacco, flowers and licorice emerge from this massive, powerful wine. The Reserve fleshes out beautifully on the palate as the fruit gains dimension and volume. Hints of licorice, menthol and tar wrap around the powerful, structured finish. This is a dazzling showing from Snowden. The 2009 harvest was not an easy one, but Diana Snowden Seysses did a brilliant job coping with the October rains. In 2009 the blend is 75.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.1% Merlot, 3.8% Cabernet Franc and 1.6 % Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029.
Snowden Vineyards lies in one of the more remote corners of Napa Valley, next to Sloan and Hall on one of its borders. Unpaved roads accessible only by 4x4 lead to the hillside vineyards. Over the last few years, the Snowden family has made significant investments with the goal of improving viticulture. As for the wines, they are terrific and getting better under the leadership of Diana Snowden Seysses, who also makes wine in Burgundy with her husband, Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac. Talk about a power couple! The 2010s, which I tasted in separate components, are highly promising." (WA)
Winery Notes:
"The growing season began with much needed rain in February and March. Spring and summer were cool with relatively even temperatures. Indeed, the growing season was ideal, without heat spikes or off-shore winds, allowing for even ripening, up until mid-October. Every vintage has its surprises and challenges; ours sprung October 13th when we got more rain in one day than in any month of October in the past 40 years. We had 25% of our fruit in tank; the rest was still on the vine.
At that point, I was glad to have the dual perspective of making wine in both Burgundy and Napa. We make beautiful wines from moistened grapes most years in Burgundy. I felt confident that our loose-clustered, tough-skinned Cabernet would weather the storm. We waited 10 days for the fruit and roads to dry out, and then picked the fruit, sorting it thoroughly in the winery.
These wines are the product of a near perfect growing season. They have both balance and ripeness and while the effects of the rainstorm are perceptible--I attribute a softness on the palate to the rains. It did not diminish their inherent beauty."
Winemaker's Notes
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18.2% Cabernet Franc, 6.8% Petit Verdot
This is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon; it is inky, with aromas of violets, graphite and black fruits. It has impressive length, and a chiseled structure accompanied by sweet, soft black fruit and spiced with clove and nutmeg. |
